Soccer goals: After scoring two goals in the Gold Cup in limited minutes and earning a position on the 2009 All Gold Cup Team, striker Kenny Cooper was sold to 1860 Munich of the Bundesliga ll. After placing second in MLS scoring with 18 goals, trailing only Landon Donovan (20), the hulkster, the 2008 FC Dallas MVP, aspired to play and develop in Europe.
This soccer videos feature Kenny Cooper highlights and soccer goals.
Speculation persisted that several English teams were interested in his services, but all English Club offers were rejected as FC Dallas agreed to 1860 Munich's bid. Playing in the second division should give Cooper the oportunity to earn playing time in hopes of earning additional callups for the USMNT and potentially the World Cup.
In a statement, Cooper stated that "I would like to thank the Hunt family, my teammates and everyone at FC Dallas for everything over the last four years." He also added that "I am very excited and honored to join 1860 Munich. I am hungry and ready to give my all to the club. I hope I will make Lamar and everyone at FC Dallas proud. I wish everyone the very best."
Will the move to Germany be a good move? It is difficult to say. His training and development should exceed what he has experienced in Dallas, as he will have to fight for playing time and starting position. Former US 1860 Munich players,Taylor Twellman, Josh Wolff, Gregg Berhalter, and Steve Purdy, plied their trade for the German side, but all eventually returning to Major League Soccer. Cooper, however, hopes to make an impression and garner interest from a better German or European club.
Realizing that he will need to utilize his hulking frame against the physical German defenders, Kenny Cooper will hope to refine and redefine his hold-up play and aerially ability, while already boasting good touch, long-range striking, and nose for goal. His strike rate suggests that he can perform at a high level scoring 43 club goals in 97 games (Oldham Athletic and FC Dallas) and four international goals in nine appearances.
What do you think of Cooper's Departure? Will this help his development to earn more playing time from Coach Bradley? Share your thoughts.
Soccer goals: With the impotent economy causing many to suffer economically and Coach Aguirre needing game tape to analyze several of the US best players, I have composed a highlight reel for both Charlie Davies and Clint Dempsey. Even though many will call Soccer Addict News a mercenary website that caters to the highest bidder. Well, you're wrong. I just need some cash. Lol. Here is a sample packet of what we sent to the Coach Javier "El Vasco" Aguirre.
These soccer videos feature highlights and soccer goals of Clint Dempsey and Charlie Davies.
Resonating as a general consesus that the US players benefit from a system predicated on tactics and discipline in where their skills offer little to impact the game, Mexican supporters and media do not acknowledge the US player's cached ability and skill. Although most US players are noted for their quick and simple touch on-the-ball, it is important to point that many US players possess the technical ability to impress internationally but see the extra flair as superfluous. Mexican media has exacerbated this thinking and mindset by classifying the US spectacular goals as an aberration not the norm. Though, they did compliment the USMNT for the 2007 Feilhaber Gold Cup goal against Mexico and the Donovan and Davies break-away goal against Brazil in the finals.
Considering that El Tri called up 12 players from the 2009 Gold Cup, it is certain that El Tri featured an A/B team in the 2009 Gold Cup. With all excuses aside as Mexico deserved their Gold Cup victory, the USMNT will confront a Mexican team on an all-time high after defeating USA 5-0 in a goleada. The USA would like to defeat Mexico for the first time in history on August 12th, while Coach Aguirre hopes to ride the wave of confidence to defeat the USA in the contaminated and oxygen-elusive confines of Azteca.
What do you think of Dempsey and Davies' chance of scoring in Azteca? Will Javier Aguirre review the info? Share your thoughts.
Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Aguirre's Scouting Report on Dempsey and Davies
Soccer Goals: Riding the bench for virtually the entire 2008-09 Aston Villa season, Eric Lichaj assisted on his first goal of the 2009-10 preseason against Mexican Club Atlante. Sending 30 yard set piece to his teammate Carew who received the rebound calmly striking the game winner, Eric Lichaj hopes to impress his coach in order to earn more playing time.
This soccer videos feature Eric Lichaj and Brad Guzan's 90 minute performance.
What do you think of their performances? Will Lichaj earn playing time this season? Share your thoughts.
Soccer Goals: Punishing C.A. Tiro Federal with two Jorge Flores' goals, Thomas Rongen's club gained confidence moving to their matchup against Uruguay. In the 19th minute, Flores scored a tap-in goal from a Sheanon Williams' mishandled cross.
During the conclusion of the second half, Michael Stephens won a loose ball along the right side, sending it to forward Fuad Ibrahim who carried it to the top of the box dishing it off to Jorge Flores. Darting into the box, Flores rifled a strike into the near post for a goal in the 83rd minute.
Despite playing a man down for over 63 minutes, the US U-20 side held a scoreles draw with Uruguay, resulting in a 5-4 penalty shootout.
Providing a spetacular penalty save against Trinidad & Tobago in the U-20 CONCACAF Qualifiers, keeper Brian Perk denied Uruguay on their fifth attempt. By winning the penalty shoot out, Thomas Rongen's side earned an additional point for the squad giving them five points in their group.
After taking a one goal advantage in the 28th minute, the U-20 USMNT appeared destined to secure a victory against the Socceroos. However, a barrage of goals would witness Australia punish the USA 1-3 in a span of six minutes with the final goal ending in stoppage time.
What do you think of Flores' production? Will the US U-20 find the same success as the U-20 2007 World Cup? Share your thoughts.
Soccer goals: Battling Portadown FC in a friendly warm-up before the commencement of the Milk Cup, U-18 USMNT fell 0-1 from a Portadown FC 77th minute goal. Leading in shots and shots-on-goal categories over the USA, 12 and 5 respectively, Portadown FC took advantage of the US' rustiness.
Portadown FC: David Miskelly; Keith O'Hara, Ross Redman, Darren Kelly, John Convery; Wesley Boyle, Ryan McCluskey, Richard Clarke, Gary McCutcheon; Neil Teggart, Tim Mouncey
Conceding two early first half goals to Denmark proved to be a insurmountable task, as the U-18 USMNT failed to answer back with two goals. Although the U-18 squad played a Denmark squad comprised of amply developed 1990-born players, while the US boasted more diminutive 1991-born players, Will Bates headed a Jose Altamirano cross into the left post which deflected and was followed up by Bates in the 70th minute.
Pressing for another goal in the final minutes, the U-18 squad fell short. “This was a good experience to play an older team at the international level," said Coach Matkovich to US Soccer. "I was pleased with the performance overall, but disappointed as we had more chances than our opponent.”
Despite dominating in shots, shots-on-goal, and corner kicks over Denmark, 21, 11, and 11 respectively, the US squad failed to find the equalizer. Denmark demonstrated great efficiency scoring two goals on 8 shots, 6 shots-on-goal, and one corner kick.
The U-18 US squad faced Germany on July 29th. News and details of the game will arrive as soon as available.
Lineups: USA: 24-Zachary MacMath; 8-Kofi Sarkodie, 4-Chad Barson (23-Harrison Petts, 85), 15-Zarek Valentin, 2-Paolo Del Piccolo (10-Hasani Sinclair, 65); 5-Scott Prozeller, 16-Nicholas Millington (14-Miles Byass, 39), 5-Amobi Okugo, 7-Greg Garza, 13-Jose Altamirano; 9-Will Bates (19-Ryan Finley, 80)
Subs not used: 1-Justin Luthy, 11-Dion Acoff, 20-Jossimar Sanchez
Head Coach: Mike Matkovich
Soccer Goals: Predicting that Everton FC would win for the first time in six attempts for the Barclay's Premiere League which had witnessed five MLS All Star victims, Everton's Coach, David Moyes, issued a Nostradamus forecast, believing his team could secure the victory and end the five-game-losing streak.
These soccer videos feature highlights and soccer goals of the MLS All-Star vs Everton.
With a hesistant 2009 MLS All Star squad producing little in the first 20 minutes, Stuart Holden offered a careless pass to keeper Casey Keller which was intercepted by Louis Saha, giving the Toffees a 1-0 lead. After Saha exploited Holden's error, the MLS All Star's began to mount various attacking sequences, starting with Blanco's switching cross to Conor Casey. Receiving the ball cleanly and sealing his defender in the box, the Rapid's forward turned and slotted a pass to a sprinting Stuart Holden, who redeemed himself with a far post pass to Brad Davis for the equalizer.
Providing the Toffees a fortress in goal, US and Everton goalkeeper, Tim Howard provided several key saves, ushering a Fredy Montero strike wide right, a strike that appeared destined for goal. In the second half, he applied pressure and created a large barrier to entry, as Landon Donovan experienced an open goal mouth, banging his strike of the left post.
Despite missing their first two penalty conversions in the shoot out, Everton rallied under Howard's acrobatic and inspirational saves. Cool, calm and collective described the remaining Toffee players who converted their penalties, while MLS fans witnessed Davy Arnaud, Brad Davis, and Freddie Ljunberg squander their chances.
After receiving fan ovations and his MVP Award, Keeper Howard received accolades from his coach saying that "Once again, Tim Howard has proved that he's certainly the best goalkeeper in America, and if he keeps going the way he is at the moment, it might not just be in America."
Even with a close loss, several MLS player proved their worth, posing problems for the opposing defense in the MLS All-Star game.
Everton FC vs MLS All-Start Player Ratings:
Casey Keller, 7 - Offered moments of brilliance with his two-penalty saves, despite returning in the second half after Zack Thorton was injured from an innocuous step. In retrospect, he should have saved Phill Neville's penalty strike, as he reached the ball unable to knock it out of goal.
Jeff Cameron, 6 - Played the full 90 minutes steadily on defense, while demonstrating his flank speed and penchant to advance in the attack.
Chad Marshall, 5.5 - Played the first 45 minutes as the central defender and seemed to carry his Gold Cup hangover with him, displaying moments of suspect distribution.
Wilman Conde, 7 - Considered one of the best passing central defenders in MLS, the physical defender did not lose a beat supporting Brad Davis with competence.
Kyle Beckerman, 6.5 - Gold Cup flashbacks radiated as he offered a strong holding midfielder performance that made him a stand out in the Gold Cup. His long range strike proved deadly in the All Star game, but where were these strikes in the Gold Cup Final?
Stuart Holden, 4.5 - His errant pass cost the All-Stars the game. His assist to Davis proved important, and his pinpoint cross, resulting in Conor Casey's header almost resulted in a goal.
Freddie Ljungberg, 5 - Played the full 90, offering several savvy attacking sequences. Drawing fouls and dribble penetration headlined his game, but his penalty attempt was puzzling.
Brad Davis, 6 - Proved that he possesses speed on several occasions, a facet, not normally attributed to the Houston winger. His passing and crossing kept the offensive flow going, but his penalty conversion was half-hearted.
Fredy Montero, 4 - Caressed the ball frequently while making little offensive impact. His deadly, curving shot-on-goal personified his offensive arsenal, requiring a diving Howard save.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 5 - Lacked the 2008 MLS All-Star flair, appearing slow and off with his touches in 60 minutes of play.
Conor Casey, 8 - Threatened Everton with his hold-up play, incisive passing, and aerially header from Stuart Holden. If the All-Stars would have won, he would have earned Man-of-the-Match honors.
Substitutes
Will Johnson, 5.5 - Patrolled the midfield while offering simple balls to start the attack.
Landon Donovan, 7 - His speed and creativity posed problems for Everton's defense as they offered few answers for his break-away runs. His strike off the post would have sealed the victory, but Howard's effort caused Donovan's strike to go just wide enough.
Bakary Soumare, 6 - Provided good defensive coverage stifling the Everton attack.
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, 5.5 - Caught out of position in two instances, the Seattle defender shielded the fatigued Everton attack.
Javier Morales, 4 - seemed unspired for initial part of the game and then picked up a slight injury, causing him to disappear during the remainder.
Davy Arnaud, 4.5 - Missing the penalty convesion allowed for the Everton victory, though he did offer several dribble-penetrating runs.
What did you think of the All-Star Game? Who was your MOTM? Share your thoughts.
